Sean Carolan

About Me

I am the owner of the Birmingham Piano and Music Studio. I did my Music degree at University of Liverpool, studying piano with David Walters, organ with the renowned Noel Rawsthorne, composition with Steve Pratt and Music Education. I gained the Sue Willis Memorial Prize for Performance whilst there and went on to teach music throughout the Northwest. I’ve taught Key Stage One through to A Level Music and was Music Co-Ordinator for several School Clusters in Birmingham. A year in Mexico City in the mid 1990’s allowed me to participate in some collaborative work with schools and Orchestras. Upon returning to the UK, I gained a Master’s and Ph.D, in Education. In addition to this, I’ve taught and lectured Composition and Musical Theory for Sandwell and Birmingham Education Authorities.

I’ve taught piano locally in the Birmingham area, as well as in schools and colleges. I’ve been teaching for more years than I’d like to admit and am proud to have had students who had their first piano lesson with me and have gone on to University to study music themselves. I am primarily a Music Practitioner with an emphasis on performance and general Music education.

During my 35 years of teaching, I am delighted to say I have a 100% success rate with students being entered for ABRSM examinations. The key to success is regular practice, performance opportunities and relying on the advice of an experienced teacher, I also successfully applied and became a part of ABRSM’s examining panel. The ABRSM is the gold standard in music assessment Worldwide and has a rich history and excellent reputation. Examining has allowed me to travel extensively throughout the UK, as well as to Hong Kong and recently examining in China.

Being up to date with current developments and national standards, myself and indeed all teachers at the Birmingham Piano & Music Studio have an up to date and valid DBS, we are fully insured, as is the Studio, and we have all completed training for Child Safeguarding with the NSPCC.